Today was the career fair in the Wilkinson Center. It was quite the sight to see 132 companies all lined up trying to get us to work for them. BYU is the number 11 school among recruiters, so I guess that it makes sense. It was a pretty intimidating experience though. After making a few rounds around the ballroom, I got up the guts to start talking to these companies about their internship opportunities. I had to make small talk and talk about their company, but all I really wanted to say was "Give me a job!" However, I did feel pretty legit walking around in my white shirt, blue suit, and red power tie. You can call me Captain America. I always looked up to those guys walking around the Tanner building wearing their suits, and now I realized that I am finally one of those guys! These guys never seemed to have normal clothes, only business casual clothes. I have to dress up again tomorrow for the first of hopefully many internship interviews. Wish me luck!
Also, being in that environment with hundreds of companies and thousands of students, a rare, competitive spirit was awakened in me. It's a healthy thing, I guess, but I found myself going out of my way to learn about the best opportunities not necessarily because of my own interest, but also to beat out the next business schmuck after me.
I got a lot of good information about internships with various financial service companies, most of them here in or around Provo. I hope that they work out!
I never thought that I would feel so much pressure to go out and find real work so early. I am just completing my first month in the business school and all I hear about is networking and internships! They have good scare tactics here...apparently if I don't have a huge network now and a prestigious internship this summer, I am never going to get a job! I'm convinced.
Also, I recognize how truly blessed I am to be here. So many would kill to be participating in a program where companies came to recruit you. So, I am counting my blessings while feeling the stress.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Object Lessons
Okay, I just have a quick thought/observation for now. I realized that one of the biggest perks (besides from all of the REAL perks) of being in the business school is that we get to watch a lot of clips from the Office. It seems like in every class we learn a business principle, and then the teacher says "and now we'll see a bad example of this in the Office." It's great! It actually helps drive home the point. Also, we read a lot of Dilbert. Dilbert is very clever now that I get it. It was always one of those comics that I read growing up, but I never got. So I just stuck with comics more at my level, ie. the Family Circus. Business school is opening up so many new horizons!
Also, another perk is the free food. There are so many different clubs here in the Marriott School. At the beginning of each one they have opening socials with food. Last week I got free doughnuts, pizza, cookies, and even an In 'n Out meal! Even today at the Marketing Association kickoff I got a free J Dawg, Dominoes pizza, AND a free color-changing-in-the-sun frisbee! If this is what the corporate world is like, it is no wonder that the stereotypical American business man is a fat man with a cigar in his mouth. However, there are no cigars here. I guess they save those for the big-time.
Also, another perk is the free food. There are so many different clubs here in the Marriott School. At the beginning of each one they have opening socials with food. Last week I got free doughnuts, pizza, cookies, and even an In 'n Out meal! Even today at the Marketing Association kickoff I got a free J Dawg, Dominoes pizza, AND a free color-changing-in-the-sun frisbee! If this is what the corporate world is like, it is no wonder that the stereotypical American business man is a fat man with a cigar in his mouth. However, there are no cigars here. I guess they save those for the big-time.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Starting Off
Hello friends. I am two weeks into the Marriott School of Management at BYU, and I have had a request to start a blog that documents my experiences in business school. So here I am!
Concerning the title, from looking at the blogs of friends and family, I have noticed that the only real thing that someone needs to have a blog is a creative, hip, catchy title. Unfortunately, none of those adjectives describe me very well. So, I was at a loss. Luckily, (or unluckily?) my last name lends itself very well to business. Immediately, a slew of lame cliche (these adjectives, however, describe me a little better) titles involving the word "Stock" came into my mind. But, they were all, well, lame and cliche. What you see now is my best attempt at something cool. Stocks and Blogs ("Stocks and bonds" get it? har...har...har).
Ever since I was in my high school Deca program, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in business. It always seemed to fit. So, I am very excited to start this next phase in my life. Even better, I get to be a part of the fifth best undergraduate program in the nation (Check it!). It really is a privilege to be here. I couldn't be more excited.
As I am entering week three of my professional education, I have noticed one big change from what my education was up to this point, and what it will be from this point on: success is no longer is just what you know, but who you are. Up to this point, I have been a fairly successful student because of what I learned in books, or from teachers in my classes. Now, I am seeing more and more that if I want to be successful in the business world, I can't just rely on what I learned in my classes. I need to have a fundamental change in my work ethic, perseverance, and ambition. If I want to have success, I have to go out and get it. Although that sounds obvious, it is kind of a scary thought.
So, the best time to start being who I want to be for the rest of life is right now. I hope you'll be with me every step of the way!
Concerning the title, from looking at the blogs of friends and family, I have noticed that the only real thing that someone needs to have a blog is a creative, hip, catchy title. Unfortunately, none of those adjectives describe me very well. So, I was at a loss. Luckily, (or unluckily?) my last name lends itself very well to business. Immediately, a slew of lame cliche (these adjectives, however, describe me a little better) titles involving the word "Stock" came into my mind. But, they were all, well, lame and cliche. What you see now is my best attempt at something cool. Stocks and Blogs ("Stocks and bonds" get it? har...har...har).
Ever since I was in my high school Deca program, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in business. It always seemed to fit. So, I am very excited to start this next phase in my life. Even better, I get to be a part of the fifth best undergraduate program in the nation (Check it!). It really is a privilege to be here. I couldn't be more excited.
As I am entering week three of my professional education, I have noticed one big change from what my education was up to this point, and what it will be from this point on: success is no longer is just what you know, but who you are. Up to this point, I have been a fairly successful student because of what I learned in books, or from teachers in my classes. Now, I am seeing more and more that if I want to be successful in the business world, I can't just rely on what I learned in my classes. I need to have a fundamental change in my work ethic, perseverance, and ambition. If I want to have success, I have to go out and get it. Although that sounds obvious, it is kind of a scary thought.
So, the best time to start being who I want to be for the rest of life is right now. I hope you'll be with me every step of the way!
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